A gala opening with Garrick Ohlsson as a vivid soloist in Beethoven’s touching and majestic Emperor Concerto. Plus colorful Mussorgsky works, evoking night, the wind, and an exhibition of fascinating art.

Great tuneful fun from composer Steven Mackey, followed by a sweeping Rachmaninoff concerto never played before in Portland. Plus some sunlit Mendelssohn and more orchestral comedy from Richard Strauss.

Out of the Ordinary
Sunday, October 1, 7:30 p.m.
Schnitzer Concert Hall

Alan Buribayev, conductor
Joël Belgique, viola

Wicked rhymes for an orchestra? That’s a surprise for you, in jazzy music from the Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin. Then Berlioz with a brainy romantic outlaw, and Stravinsky with battlingpuppets, delightful and just a touch unearthly.

Different Every Time
Sunday, October 22, 7:30 p.m.
Schnitzer Concert Hall

Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Robert Levin, piano

Flowing Mozart, a Mozart tribute by Messiaen, and then pianist Robert Levin will improvise, just as Mozart used to do. You won’t know what you’re going to hear until you hear it!